Gordon Strachan: keep my lads busy!

GORDON STRACHAN is desperately hoping his English Championship stars are involved in the play-offs at the end of the season – otherwise they face a six-week break before the crucial Euro 2016 return with the Republic of Ireland on June 13.

Gordon Strachan's Scotland face Gibraltar in their next Euro 2016 qualifier, in March next year

Nearly half of Scotland’s squad come from England’s second tier, which ends on May 2, and Strachan is hoping many have competitive action to keep them going.

Chris Martin, Craig Bryson, Craig Forsyth and Johnny Russell are all playing for league leaders Derby County, while Russell Martin and Steven Whittaker are team-mates at Norwich and keeper David Marshall plays for Cardiff City.

Grant Hanley and Jordan Rhodes are trying to help Blackburn back to the Premiership, Ikechi Anya is in the play-off picture with Watford, while Shaun Maloney is now working under Malky Mackay at Wigan and Chris Burke is a regular with Nottingham Forest.

Strachan said: “It’s a concern because we do have a lot of players in the Championship when most leagues in the world go on for two or three weeks after that.

“What we’re hoping is the likes of Derby and Blackburn and Norwich get to the final of the play-offs – that would keep players right on top of their game. That’s what we’re looking for.

“They will be hoping to go straight up, but having some of them in the play- offs might help us a bit.

“We dealt with it OK at the Croatia game last year, although there was six days of a difference.

“It gives us something to think about whether we get an international game to bring the guys who have not played for a while up to speed.”

The Scots face Group D whipping boys Gibraltar on March 29 at Hampden before a Dublin showdown with Martin O’Neill’s side.

A friendly international against Northern Ireland three days earlier is likely to be confirmed soon.

Strachan knows the Gibraltar match should be a guaranteed three points, but he recalls the game against San Marino 23 years ago when Scotland toiled but finally won 2-0 after he netted a penalty. Gordon Durie got the other.

Strachan said: They’re funny games, these ones. “It’s at the back of your mind that you should win it but there’s always the wee devil on your shoulder telling you, ‘this could be a long night’.

“I remember going to San Marino once with a good Scotland side and we never scored until the 63rd minute.

“And that’s the biggest pressure I’ve ever had, taking a penalty against a bus driver from San Marino. I’m serious. You would be remembered for the rest of your life for missing that.”